Sea Shepherd to name new ship after slain sea turtle activist

Marine conservation group Sea Shepherd will name its newest vessel after Jairo Mora Sandoval, a sea turtle conservationist who was slain on a Costa Rican beach last month.

“We do not want the name of this courageous and passionate young man to be forgotten and hopefully this will help to keep his memory alive,” said Captain Paul Watson in a post on his Facebook page.

Mora was beaten to death after he was kidnapped and tortured by at least five masked assailants May 31 on Moin beach near Limon, Costa Rica. Four female volunteers who were with him were also kidnapped but escaped.

Watson says he is offering a $30,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the people who killed Mora.

Sea Shepherd is known for its direct action approach to stop whaling. The group has sunk at least ten whaling vessels.

Leatherback hatchling in the foreground with Sandoval in the background. (right) Sandoval walking on the beach where he died after releasing over a hundred turtle hatchlings in 2012. Photos by: Carlyn Samuel.